With the Republicans vowing to never approve a Supreme Court nominee and continuing to investigate Hillary Clinton if she should win the presidency, we are left with little choice but to elect Democrats on the down ballot in November. The Republicans would rather obstruct our democracy than implement it. Stalemating is not governing; wholesale opposition is not governing; spiteful rhetoric is not governing; threatening our judicial system is not governing; announcing prematurely their intention to subvert legislation if their candidate does not win is not governing. Our elected representatives must act responsibly and cooperatively in the best interest of the country, not stubbornly and spitefully to undermine the workings of government.

Claudia Parker San Jose

Proposition 57 reduces California’s prison costs

California has dealt with serious prison overcrowding for the last several years now. Proposition 57 would impact immigrant families and save taxpayer dollars by reducing wasteful spending on prisons. It allows parole consideration for people with non-violent convictions. It is imperative that these individuals come home sooner to their families so they can start their road to rehabilitation. By voting “yes” on Proposition 57, we are taking a huge step in reforming California’s prison system.

Ngoc DoSIREN Vietnamese Community LeaderSan Jose

Support permanent state ban on plastic bags

There are many reasons to ban plastic bags: Plastic bags are made from polyethylene, a thermoplastic made from oil. Reduce our dependence on oil. Billions of bags wind up in our environment each year, eventually breaking down into tiny toxic bits, which pollutes our soil, water, and food chain. It costs more to recycle a plastic bag than produce one.Wildlife is killed by ingesting or getting strangled in bags. Using cloth bags instead prevents these many serious issues.

Yet the deceptive practices of the plastics industry confuses the ballot measures. To support the ban on plastic bags, vote “no” on Prop. 65 and “yes” on Prop. 67.

Barbara Langworthy San Jose

Evergreen is a thriving school district

I take issue with the article (“Mailers amp up school election,” Page 1B, Oct. 26) on the Evergreen School District, which implies that declining educational quality is reducing enrollment. Most of the decline is driven by demographics. The many well-priced homes built in the 1990’s and 2000’s attracted families looking for affordable living with good schools. Many of those families are now like mine, empty nesters staying because of deep community ties. Few new families can afford today’s Evergreen home prices.

Our “once-touted” district continues garnering accolades. Evergreen School is the only school in the county recognized as a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School; James F. Smith School was similarly recognized in 2015. Katherine Smith School was name a New Tech Exemplary Demonstration Site. Evergreen is one of just 19 districts in the National Network of Innovative School Districts. The district is at the cutting edge of project-based learning.

Evergreen is a thriving district we can all be proud of.

Pat Waite San Jose

Elect Gilbert Wong to Foothill-De Anza board

I want to write to you and your readers to express my utmost support for Gilbert Wong and his desire to continue his life of public service by serving on the Foothill-De Anza Community College Board of Trustees.

Gilbert has dedicated the last 16 years of his life to serving the public, including two terms as the mayor of Cupertino. He has also helped support the FHDA District by serving on the De Anza Commission. Gilbert’s collaborative approach to governance, open-door policy, and focus on transparency make him the ideal candidate to lead both colleges into the future.

Daniel NguyenSan Jose

Randles cares deeply about Evergreen schools

I am writing to express my support for Rex Randles for the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Board of Trustees. He is running against Craig Mann.

Quoting from The Mercury News: “About students choosing to attend other community colleges, Mann said, “It’s a buyer’s market.” This shows disregard for the community, faculty and the students.

Mmore than 18,000 students from our local area go to other colleges like De Anza because EVC either does not have enough class offerings or room for additional classes at prime time. I’ve been working with Rex to oppose this development.

I can personally vouch that he cares deeply for our community and our schools. He’s been a long-time resident of Evergreen, has many years of experience in the industry and in education. Please consider voting for Rex Randles in the November election.

Indrajit BanerjeeSan Jose

Sunnyvale needs to elect Nancy Smith

Sunnyvale needs Nancy Smith on its city council. Nancy is running a vigorous grass-roots campaign. She has the personality, organizing and leadership skills and passion to engage Sunnyvale residents and workers in areas of public policy they care about most: housing, transportation, education, and the environment. She is the best candidate for Seat 6 to bring people together around practical, supportable public policy solutions. Her leadership track record is impressive. She is the founder of the Sunnyvale Democratic Club, went on to champion Sunnyvale’s landmark gun measure and is a strong advocate for affordable housing. She brought community groups together to provide food, safety equipment and programs for Sunnyvale children. Nancy has earned the recommendation of The Mercury News, environmental groups like the Sierra Club and League of Conservation voters, the county Democratic Party, and former Sunnyvale mayors. She deserves your vote.

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Rather than leaving their families behind, while facing possible death and paying “coyotes” to bring them to America in search of a better life, why don’t these immigrants protest in front of Mexican consulates or the Mexican Embassy and demand their government grant them the freedoms Americans enjoy?

Illegal immigration costs the American taxpayers $134.9 billion annually according to detailed analysis of federal, state and local programs that includes education, medical care, law enforcement and welfare.